Welcome to Annapolis!

Maryland's newly minted legislators got their first lick of Annapolis life last week at an orientation meeting for the General Assembly, The Gazette writes. No partisan scraps were reported.

The newbies--45 in all--learned about ethics regulations, budgets and how to draft a bill, says The Gazette. But even the state's new boss quipped about information overload.

"You emerge more dizzy than you did when you went in," governor-elect Martin O' Malley said.

Silver Spring's elected crew is an even split of experienced legislators and virgins. Sheila Hixson has been in the House of Delegates since 1976, and delegate-elect Heather Mizeur served on Takoma Park's city council, say their websites. Delegate-elect Tom Hucker and senator-elect Jamie Raskin, however, have never held publicly elected office, according to their websites.

No problem, House Speaker Michael E. Busch told The Gazette. Senior legislators are standing by with paddles in hand to dole out some tough love.

"If you think you have the answer to everything, your colleagues are going to be the first to bring you back in line," Busch said.

Thanks to Nostalgia Central for the photo.

"Newcomers to Annapolis Get Oriented" (The Gazette)